Ready or Not

I'm definitely not one of those moms that does a happy dance when the kids go back to school.  As much as I love fall--and I really love it, saying goodbye to summer is something we always dread.  

I've long had a love affair with the Pacific Northwest, but the summer of 2014 was perhaps the most beautiful, picture-perfect summer I've ever experienced.  Gorgeous, I tell you!  But whether we were ready or not, (and we were not ready) back to school we did go.

Alyssa is the first to leave the house every morning, leaving to catch the bus at 6:55 am.  She's an eighth grader this year, the upperclassman of the middle school.  Don't let her tiny stature fool you, she's a mature and responsible young lady.  Beautiful too.

She's set to tackle a challenging algebra course and is really excited that the doctor gave her a PE waiver, which allows her to take a leadership class.  She'll continue to play the violin in the school orchestra again this year.

My fourth grader and I get to go to school together every day.  We spend a few minutes in my office together before she heads to her classroom.  I walked her to her door on the first day and she gave me an adamant warning that I was not to kiss her goodbye!  She continues to be rather embarrassed by me, even though several classmates have told her that I'm one of their favorite teachers.  I'm not too offended, I know that deep down she loves me and appreciates that we have the special experience of attending school together.  And boy oh boy do I love this baby of mine!

Caleb got to ease into school on the first day.  Because the high school does a freshman orientation the first day, the other students don't have to be there until afternoon.  He got to sleep in and then I drove him down to school when I got home from work.  I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I have a junior in high school.  A junior!  It's hitting me hard that we only have one more first day of school.  This handsome boy is growing and maturing every day.  

Caleb will be taking civics, pre-calculus, spanish and language arts this semester.  Release time seminary continues to be his favorite period of the day, but he's quite excited about his culinary arts class.

Back-to-school also brings a birthday every year.  We celebrated with one of Jon's favorite dinners, macaroni and cheese, and a super yummy white chocolate, raspberry cheesecake.  There were no gifts this year since a new car has become a necessity.  Let's just say Caleb has been a better driver than his dad lately. 

Our sensational summer seems to be giving way to a stunning fall.  We are all becoming adjusted to our back-to-school schedule, balancing gymnastics and cross country with homework, paper routes and driver's education.  Oh, and BYU football games.  The very best reason to welcome fall.

Ready or not, here we come!